Flying together. Sharing a few minutes suspended between sky and mountains, with the Mediterranean shining in the distance and the peaks of the Mercantour as a backdrop. That's exactly what tandem paragliding - also known as tandem flying - offers, and it's accessible to everyone, with no previous experience necessary.
The principle is simple: a state-qualified instructor sits in the pilot's harness, you sit in yours as a passenger, and the glider does the rest. You don't need to know how to fly. You don't need to be sporty. You just need to want to experience something exceptional.
At Ailéments, we've been flying tandem paragliders for 19 years from the crests of the Cheiron in Gréolières, at an altitude of 1800m. Whether you're planning a family baptism, a birthday present, an EVJF or EVG, or just a thrill-seeking activity, each flight is a personalised experience, supervised by our passionate instructors and backed up by over 500 5/5 reviews. In this guide, you'll find everything you need to know before taking the plunge: how the flight works, prices, safety, access conditions and the best sites in the Alpes-Maritimes.
A two-seater paraglider - or tandem paraglider - is a two-person parasailing flight: a certified pilot at the controls, and a passenger seated directly in front of him in a dedicated harness. A single canopy, larger than a single-seater wing, designed to support the weight of the two occupants and guarantee stable, progressive flight.
Contrary to what many people imagine, this is not a jump. You take off standing on a mountainside, facing into the wind, with a few running steps. The glider inflates, rises, and you leave the ground almost without realising it. No freefall, no vertigo - just the silence of free flight and the sensation of soaring.
Yes, the two terms refer to exactly the same practice. «Tandem paragliding» is often used in online searches, while «tandem» is the accepted technical term in free flight circles. In both cases: one tandem glider, two harnesses, one qualified instructor. If you want to go from passenger to pilot, find out more about our paragliding courses to learn to fly independently.
A tandem paragliding experience always follows the same progression, designed to put passengers at ease every step of the way.
Welcome and briefing (15 to 20 minutes)
When you arrive at Gréolières, the instructor will welcome you, equip you with harness and helmet, and explain the three essentials: how to walk on take-off, how to sit in the harness in flight, and how to land. Nothing complicated. Everything is guided.
Getting to the site
The climb to take-off is by 4×4 over a ridge path - an adventure in itself, with a first glimpse of the exceptional panorama over the coast and the Alps. Many passengers mention this climb as a highlight, even before taking off.
Take-off
A few steps into the wind is all it takes. The glider rises, the ground disappears. Take-off is gradual and smooth - most passengers are surprised by how gentle it is.
In flight
Depending on the package you choose, the flight lasts between 15 and 60 minutes. The instructor will comment on the flight, explaining what he sees, the air currents and the relief. You can chat, ask questions, or simply enjoy the silence.
The landing
The instructor manages everything. You land standing up on the Gréolières landing zone. Simple, gentle, no surprises.
The duration varies according to the formula. The discovery flight lasts 15 to 20 minutes - ideal for a first experience. The prestige flight goes up to 45-60 minutes, with the use of thermals and more pronounced sensations.
That's the question everyone is asking - and rightly so. The answer is yes, as long as you fly with a qualified professional and maintain your equipment.
A state-certified instructor is compulsory
In France, to take a passenger on a tandem paraglider, the pilot must hold the DEJEPS Parapente - a state diploma awarded after demanding training. At Ailéments, all our instructors are qualified and have been practising tandem paragliding for over ten years in the Alpes-Maritimes.
Overhauled and certified equipment
The tandem paragliders used by Ailéments are approved and regularly serviced. The wings are serviced in partnership with Aerotech, a specialist workshop based in Gréolières. See our page paraglider revision to find out more about the checks carried out.
Flights only in good weather conditions
Tandem flights are never made in bad weather. A weather check is carried out the evening before at 8pm. If conditions do not allow safe flying, the activity will be postponed free of charge.
Tandem flights are available from the age of 6, with parental consent. The weight limit is around 95 kg - a telephone call to the team will enable us to assess any special cases. You don't need to be in good physical condition to take part. For younger children, see our dedicated page. child flight.
The prices of tandem flights at Ailéments vary according to the duration and the sensations sought. You can find all our packages on the page prices and rates.
| Formula | Duration | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Discovery flight | 15 to 20 minutes | From €100 |
| Ascending flight | 20 to 30 minutes | From €140 |
| Prestige / Sensation flight | 45 to 60 minutes | From €250 |
| On-board video/photo option | — | 30 € |
Payment is made on the spot after the flight, by instant transfer or in cash. No advance payment is required for direct bookings.
A tandem flight is one of the most popular gifts - birthday, Christmas, Father's Day, EVJF. Visit Ailéments gift vouchers are available online, sent by email immediately, and are valid for 12 months. They cover all flight options.
Ailéments operates from three sites in the Alpes-Maritimes, chosen according to the weather conditions of the day. This flexibility is a real advantage: we fly almost every day, we don't close - we adapt.
Gréolières - main site (90 % flights)
Take-off from the Cheiron ridge at an altitude of 1800m. View of the Mediterranean and the Mercantour. More than 1000m difference in altitude, long flights, generous thermals. This is where the Ailéments school is based, on the edge of the landing zone. The setting is wild and unspoilt, far from mass tourism. See our page paragliding Gréolières for all the practical details.
Gourdon - secondary site
A village perched high above the Gorges du Loup, with exceptional views of the coast and hinterland. A great alternative when the weather takes a different turn at Gréolières. Discover the page paragliding Gourdon.
Roquebrune-Cap-Martin - winter site (December to end February)
The only site where the flight offers a very close-up sea view, landing on the Golfe Bleu beach. Only available outside the seaside season. The rest of the year, Gréolières remains the best choice for a longer, wilder experience in the mountains.
Are you from a coastal town?
Ailéments welcomes passengers from all over the Côte d'Azur. Find practical information according to your point of departure: paragliding from Nice, paragliding from Cannes, paragliding from Grasse, paragliding from Monaco, paragliding from Menton.
There are several paragliding schools in the Alpes-Maritimes. What sets Ailéments apart is not a commercial argument - it's what passengers bring back after their flight.
19 years' experience, over 10,000 tandem flights
Pierrot, founder of Ailéments and DEJEPS instructor since 2014, has an intimate knowledge of the sites, the aerological conditions and the passenger profiles. Each flight is adapted to the person in front of it: apprehensive children, adults looking for thrills, groups on EVJF.
5/5 on more than 500 Google and TripAdvisor reviews
The words that come up most in the reviews: reassuring, passionate, family, unforgettable. Not a big commercial structure - a team that takes its time, adapts and really shares its passion.
A multi-activity offering unique in the 06
Ailéments is the only organisation in the Alpes-Maritimes to offer a combination of paragliding and canyoning on the same day. A very popular package for EVJFs and EVGs. Discover the paragliding-canyoning combo.
Want to go further than baptism?
If you want to learn to fly tandem on your own, our paragliding school offers courses for all levels, from beginners to complete autonomy.
Tandem paragliding is one of the most accessible and memorable experiences you can have in the mountains. No pre-requisites, no particular physical condition - just the desire to get off the ground for a few minutes and see the world from above.
From Gréolières at 1800m, Ailéments accompanies you from briefing to landing, with the rigour of a qualified school and the warmth of a passionate team. Whether for yourself or as a gift, a tandem flight is one of those moments that people still talk about years later.
Consult our formulas and rates or book directly your tandem paragliding experience. And if you'd like to give it as a gift, our gift vouchers are available online, sent immediately by email.
